"'It should seem, Ellena, by these boding fears,' said he, imprudently, 'that I am parting with you for ever; I feel a weight upon my heart, which I cannot throw off."
— Radcliffe [née Ward], Ann (1764-1823)
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Cadell and Davies
Date
1797
Metaphor
"'It should seem, Ellena, by these boding fears,' said he, imprudently, 'that I am parting with you for ever; I feel a weight upon my heart, which I cannot throw off."
Metaphor in Context
"'It should seem, Ellena, by these boding fears,' said he, imprudently, 'that I am parting with you for ever; I feel a weight upon my heart, which I cannot throw off.'"
On the evening, previous to the day of Ellena's departure to La Pietà , Vivaldi went to Altieri, to bid her adieu. During this interview his spirits were more than usually depressed; and, though he knew that her retirement was only for a short period, and had as much confidence in the continuance of her affection, as is, perhaps, possible to a lover, Vivaldi felt as if he was parting with her for ever. A thousand vague and fearful conjectures, such as he had never till this moment admitted, assailed him, and amongst them, it appeared probable, that the arts of the nuns might win her from the world, and sacrifice her to the cloister. In her present state of sorrow this seemed to be even more than probable, and not all the assurances which Ellena gave him, and in these parting moments she spoke with less reserve than she had hitherto done, could reanimate his mind. 'It should seem, Ellena, by these boding fears,' said he, imprudently, 'that I am parting with you for ever; I feel a weight upon my heart, which I cannot throw off. Yet I consent that you shall withdraw awhile to this convent, convinced of the propriety of the step; and I ought, also, to know that you will soon return; that I shall soon take you from its walls as my wife, never more to leave me, never more to pass from my immediate care and tenderness. I ought to feel assured of all this; yet so apt are my fears that I cannot confide in what is probable, but rather apprehend what is possible. And is it then possible that I yet may lose you; and is it only probable that you may be mine for ever? How, under such circumstances, could I weakly consent to your retirement? Why did I not urge you to bestow immediately those indissoluble bands, which no human force can burst asunder? How could I leave the destiny of all my peace within the reach of a possibility, which it was once in my power to have removed! Which it was in my power! - It is, perhaps, still in my power, O Ellena! let the severities of custom yield to the security of my happiness. If you do go to La Pietà , let it be only to visit its altar!'
(I.vi, pp. 70-1)
(I.vi, pp. 70-1)
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Citation
Date of Entry
06/04/2013
